“Qii house expertly provides a comfortable and luxurious stay without disturbing the rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife that surrounds the property.”
Built as a private property in 1977, Qii House has since been transformed into an eco-meditation and relaxation retreat by current owner Heather Kolb. Featuring a unique and somewhat quirky design, the property seamlessly blends in with its natural surroundings deep within the lush rainforests of the Great Otway National Park. The property sleeps up to eight guests with four spacious bedrooms, a colourful and beautifully decorated living room, a well-equipped kitchen, an indoor and outdoor bathroom, and a generous decking and alfresco dining space where guests can meditate, practice yoga, or simply unwind and soak up the spectacular views. A recent addition, Qii House now also features three custom-made Tiny Houses for a more minimalistic way to experience the natural healing benefits that this unique location provides.
In addition to renovating the living space at Qii House, Heather has taken great care to showcase the therapeutic benefits of the surrounding nature for her guests. This includes creating a stunning Japanese inspired garden which she has carefully landscaped to keep in harmony with the natural environment. She is also a huge advocate of the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and has subsequently curated a nature walk for guests to enjoy during their stay. Introducing the wonderful scents and sounds of the forest under a canopy of giant tree ferns, the one-kilometre-long Zaborin Forest Therapy Trail encourages guests to experience the many benefits of slowing down and taking in the natural medicine offered by the forest. The trail has even caught the attention of INFTA – the global leader in providing professionally guided forest therapy – who have made it the first internationally accredited forest therapy destination on private land in Australia.
The judging panel praised the meticulous attention-to-detail that Heather has taken to ensure the guest experience at Qii House is second-to-none. They were pleasantly surprised by the complimentary bottle of wine, organic breakfast hamper, and other lovely little touches such as aromatic candles which should absolutely be used when relaxing under the stars in the custom made outdoor hot tub. From the choice of premium Smeg appliances for the living space to featuring stunning artworks from the Lorne Sculpture Biennale throughout the grounds, it is evident that a lot of care and consideration has gone into the design of the property.